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Book of Life, The (2014)

Review #1,099

THE SCOOPDirector: Jorge R. GutierrezCast:Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana, Channing Tatum, Ron Perlman, Christina ApplegatePlot: Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart, embarks on an adventure that spans three fantastic worlds where he must face his greatest fears.Genre: Animation / Adventure / ComedyAwards: Nom. for 1 Golden Globe - Best Animated FeatureRuntime: 95minRating: PG for mild action, rude humor, some thematic elements and brief scary images.IN RETROSPECT (Spoilers: NO)

“What's with
Mexicans and death!”

Some have mistook Guillermo Del Toro
to have directed The Book of Life,
but it really is a first-time animation feature debut for Jorge R.
Gutierrez. It is one of those odd,
offbeat animated offerings that pops by mainstream cinemas once every few
years, something like a Corpse Bride
(2005), only that it is more colourful and flamboyant.

Centering on a mythical story of two
gods involved in a bet to find out if a beautiful woman would marry: a guy with
a passion for the guitar but is pressured by his father to become a
bullfighter, or a hero who tries to save the townsfolk from a marauding bandit
and his gang.

All these are narrated by a museum tour
guide to a bunch of motley kids. It is a
familiar story, but I think it is not interesting enough to engage on its
own. This indirectly brings to attention
the quality of its animation, which is rich, not only visually, but culturally
as well.

Infused with Mexican sensibilities
that can be eye-opening for both kids and adults, and exploring themes of life
and death in a macabre but ultimately heartwarming way, The Book of Life should be commended for its attempt to deviate
from the kind of features that the major studios frequently churn out in the
hope of starting a new cash-grabbing franchise.

In that vein of thinking, The Book of Life is sort of refreshing
to see, with its charming block-like characters, and creative visual and art
direction that point to the eccentricities of Mexican (and Spanish) beliefs,
traditions and culture, some of which are quite universal in its meaning, such
as the notion of remembrance of those who have passed.

If only the storytelling could have
been bolder, to disregard familiarity for something new, it would have made an
outstanding animation work. In some way,
I feel that The Book of Life has that
potential to become a Mexican "Spirited Away", to immerse us in a
world of strange beauty, with a measured, layered mythical storytelling.

In any case, Gutierrez's film is
well-made and enjoyable, but not any more so than your typical animated
offering. Backed by a large studio like 20th
Century Fox, it is still heartening to see such less mainstream efforts being
brought to life on the big screen.

Verdict: The animation is rich, flamboyant and
offbeat, but the story is too familiar to be interesting enough.